The Philippines has been gripped by renewed outrage over an attack on press freedom following the brutal shooting of a radio journalist in Guinobatan, Albay. In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized high-level resources, with the acting chief personally ordering a swift and exhaustive investigation.
The victim, 54-year-old Noel Bellen Samar, a respected journalist affiliated with Kadunong iTV and DWIZ in Legazpi City, was ambushed and shot on Monday morning, prompting immediate condemnation from national police leadership, government bodies, and the entire media community.
National Police Mandates Special Task Group
Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the acting chief of the PNP, issued a strong statement on Tuesday vehemently condemning the assault. He immediately directed the formation of a specialized unit, dubbed the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Samar”, to take the lead in the investigation.
“This kind of violence has no place in our society. I have already instructed the Regional Director, PRO (Police Regional Office) 5 (Bicol), to look into all the angles to identify all those behind this attack and arrest them in the soonest possible time,” Nartatez declared.
The SITG’s mandate is comprehensive, focusing intensely on case build-up, meticulous evidence gathering, and seamless coordination with other law enforcement units to ensure the perpetrator is swiftly identified and brought to justice. Initial operations included a pursuit operation launched immediately after the incident to apprehend the unknown assailant who fled the scene.
The Attack and Initial Findings
According to preliminary police reports, the attack occurred at approximately 9:05 a.m. on Monday along the Maharlika Highway at Purok 3, Barangay Morera in Guinobatan, Albay. Samar was targeted by an unidentified gunman and sustained serious gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
Following the brazen assault, the journalist was immediately rushed to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi City for emergency medical treatment. Investigators at the scene have already initiated crucial steps, including gathering initial physical evidence and actively reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity in hopes of positively identifying the perpetrator and tracing their escape route.
Government and Media Solidarity
The gravity of the attack on a working journalist quickly triggered responses from key government agencies dedicated to media protection.
Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), confirmed that the government body has deployed a dedicated team on the ground. Their mission is twofold: to assist local investigators and to closely monitor Samar’s medical condition.
“The climate of fear and intimidation that threatens the lives of our journalists must end,” Torres stated emphatically. “We stand unwaveringly with the media community, and we will do all we can to ensure their safety and security.”
The country’s largest media organizations also spoke out strongly. The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), through its president Leonel Abasola, issued a powerful condemnation of the “cowardly” shooting.
“We call on the government, law enforcement agencies, and our fellow journalists to unite in ensuring that justice is served swiftly. Every attack on a journalist is an attack on press freedom itself,” Abasola asserted, urging the PNP to utilize all resources in tracking down the assailant.
Local Media Voices Amplify Outcry
The assault reverberated deeply within the local media ecosystem of Albay, with several regional organizations issuing statements of collective condemnation, highlighting the direct link between the violence and the erosion of democratic principles.
DWIZ Legazpi, Samar’s own station, described the incident as a “clear attack not only on him but on the freedom of expression regarding issues that the public has a right to know.” They emphasized the role of journalism in a democratic society and the chilling effect such violence has.
The Albay Legazpi City Online Broadcasters Association and the Albay Mainstream Media-Online Organization echoed this sentiment, underscoring that such violence against media members poses a critical threat to a healthy democracy and has absolutely “no place in the community.”
Meanwhile, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Albay chapter appealed to its members for composure and restraint, emphasizing the need to allow due process to take its course while simultaneously renewing their call for greater protection and respect for media practitioners operating in the field. This appeal reflects the tension between seeking justice and maintaining safety during a period of heightened concern.
Congressional Intervention and Reward Offer
Further demonstrating the seriousness with which the attack is being viewed, Albay 3rd District Rep. Adrian Salceda stepped forward, offering a PHP25,000 cash reward for any information that can lead to the identification and capture of the gunman.
In a statement announcing the reward, Salceda expressed profound condemnation: “I vehemently condemn this act of violence. Such attacks have no place in a civilized society, and certainly not in the political life of Albay. Any attack on the media is an attack on our freedoms.”
The reward mechanism specifies that the money will be turned over to the Philippine National Police, who will then release it to the informant upon verification of the information’s credibility. Beyond the pursuit of justice, the congressman also pledged an additional PHP25,000 in financial assistance to Samar’s family, offering concrete support during this challenging time.
This convergence of law enforcement action, government oversight, media solidarity, and legislative support underscores the national commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists and upholding the fundamental principle of press freedom, which now faces a tangible threat in the province of Albay. The focus remains squarely on the SITG “Samar” as the nation awaits swift breakthroughs in the investigation.
